Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: Yates glad he chose to join Wildcats’ survival fight

The former Hunslet Hawks and Leeds Rhinos forward made his debut in last week’s crucial Qualifiers win over Halifax and is hoping to keep his place for the final two games of the season.

Wildcats will travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield Eagles tomorrow needing a win to secure home advantage in next Saturday’s million pound match.

“I was thinking it was going to be a big adjustment, but it has been great,” Yates said of his mid-season change of clubs. “Training has been going well and all the lads have made me feel welcome.

“Training has been tough, it’s similar to at Leeds. I felt at home as soon as I came in. It has been really good.”

Yates made 11 substitute appearances for Rhinos and also turned out on dual-registration for Hunslet, but joined Wildcats to get more game time. Ironically, he had to wait almost two months for his debut and he said: “I was made up to play last week.

“I’d come to a new club and Brian [Smith, Wildcats’ coach] wasn’t going to put me in when they were going well.

“He said to me I had been there or thereabouts and then he put me in the Halifax game and I thought I did all right. I just want to play more minutes and play as well as I can for Wakefield.

“The more games I play, the more I can improve my game. Since I’ve come here Brian has given me a few pointers and already helped me improve my game, so hopefully I can take that into the Sheffield game.”

Of tomorrow’s tie, Yates said: “Our job this week is to beat Sheffield and get home advantage next week.

“Because it’s such a big game, I think that will be crucial.”

Scott Anderson and Reece Lyne are back in contention for Wildcats after a club ban and Danny Kirmond and Ali Lauitiiti could return from injury.

Sheffield Eagles: from Togagae, Turner, Yere, Smeaton, Worrincy, Brambani, Aston, Battye, Carlile, M Stringer, Knowles, Straughier, Walker, Taulapapa, Petersen, Davies, Davey, Tonks, Millar.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: from Anderson, Annakin, Arundel, Ashurst, Godinet, Johnstone, Jowitt, Kirmond, Lauitiiti, Lyne, Miller, Mullally, Scruton, Simon, Sio, Tansey, Tupou, Washbroook, Yates.

Referee: Joe Cobb (Leigh).

Kick-off: Tomorrow, 3pm.